As the number of visitors to Dokdo has increased with loosened regulations over entering the island, the Ministry of Environment established an ecosystem monitoring system to be run from April, 2005 to March, 2006 to evaluate short and long term impact to the ecosystem of increasing visitors. The Ministry also conducted a regular seasonal study on the east islet on May, 30th (on-site study on the west islet is impossible due to bad weather conditions).

A total of 15 members of the ecological monitoring team of the National Institute of Environmental Research and independent experts participated in the study on seven categories including birds, and plants.

Study on birds found 25 species which included Erithacus calliope, Eophona personata magnirostris, Hydrobatadae, Turdus obcurus, and Strigidae, an endangered species, and about 1,200 Carus crassirostrises.

Until now, a total of 72 species have been identified including six species of Strigidae, Otus scops, Emberiza pusilla Pallas, and Corvus. In the study, Falco peregrinus Tunstall was turned out to be most endangered, and Pandion haliaetus, Accipiter gentiles, Buteo buteo and Synthliboranphus wumuzusume, as the second most endangered species.

In particular, a high number of visitors between April and June, the breeding period of Carus crassirostris, will have a huge impact on the species.

Seeds entered the island mixed with construction materials has spread and dominated the island. Echinochloa crus-galli was growing in groups and naturalized plants such as Chrysanthemum coronarium, Poa pratensis, Bromus unioloides H.B.K., and Rumex crispus L. were found.

In the areas near bedrocks with piers on them, marine plants were well-preserved, but not many attaching organisms were found in the sub-littoral zone near decks which was damaged by construction works.

Plants presumed as Brassica campestris subsp. were turned out to be Chrysanthemum coronarium.

The study signifies that there is a possibility of naturalized plants dominating the entire island. Therefore, measures to prevent the spread of invasive foreign species from entering the island.

The Ministry of Environment will analyze the result of the study and every other seasonal study conducted this year, and use them as the basis of policies to protect and manage the Dokdo.